I apologize for any confusion caused. Please find the revised version of the news article below:
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The SEC’s Reign of Terror Ends After Alabama’s Rose Bowl Loss
For the first time since 2018, the College Football Playoff champion will not come from the SEC. Alabama’s heartbreaking 27-20 overtime defeat against Michigan in the Rose Bowl shattered the conference’s hopes of another title. The SEC had reigned supreme in college football, with the last four champions — Georgia, Alabama, and LSU — all hailing from the Southeastern Conference.
This year’s CFP championship will be devoid of an SEC team, a rarity in the history of the playoffs. The only other instance of this happening was in the inaugural 2014 iteration, which featured a clash between Ohio State and Oregon. With Alabama’s loss, the SEC’s dominance over the national title has come to an end, at least for now.
Alabama had secured a spot in the Rose Bowl after defeating Georgia in the SEC championship game on December 2. The defeat ended Georgia’s hopes of clinching a third consecutive championship. Throughout the season, the Crimson Tide lost just one other game, against Texas in Week 2, before going on an impressive winning streak to earn a spot in the playoffs.
The winner of the Washington vs. Michigan game will become the 10th CFP champion and mark the end of the four-team era. Out of the previous nine champions, six hailed from the SEC, highlighting the conference’s dominance over college football.
While Georgia was the defending champion, they were left out in favor of Alabama. Georgia finished ranked No. 6 in the final standings, trailing behind Alabama (No. 4) and Florida State (No. 5). Georgia managed to salvage their season by defeating a depleted Florida State team 63-3 in the Orange Bowl.
As the CFP championship progresses, the Big Ten will seek its second title, with Ohio State winning the inaugural championship in 2014. On the other hand, the Pac-12 hopes to secure its first championship amidst speculation about the conference’s future.
It’s worth noting that Texas, though not an SEC member yet, was eliminated from the Big 12 before their move. While a Texas victory would not officially count as an SEC win, it would have further highlighted the conference’s long-standing dominance in college football.
The SEC’s era of dominance has officially ended, at least for this year. As the playoffs continue, the absence of an SEC team sets the stage for new champions to rise. The spotlight now shifts to Washington and Michigan as they battle for the title. Only time will tell if the SEC can regain its stranglehold on college football in the years to come.
Past Champions Since 2014:
2014: Ohio State (Big Ten)
2015: Alabama (SEC)
2016: Clemson (ACC)
2017: Alabama (SEC)
2018: Clemson (ACC)
2019: LSU (SEC)
2020: Alabama (SEC)
2021-22: Georgia (SEC)
